Q. How does congenital cholesteatoma lead to ear discharge while tympanic membrane is intact?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Congenital cholesteatoma is a benign growth that occurs in the middle ear and can lead to an accumulation of fluid or pus behind the intact tympanic membrane (eardrum). This causes a bulging of the membrane and can lead to recurring episodes of ear discharge, often with a foul odor.
The underlying cause of congenital cholesteatoma is unknown but it's believed that defective embryologic development in utero could be responsible. It's usually diagnosed during infancy or early childhood with otoscopic examination revealing a white mass either on, or just behind, the eardrum.
Left untreated, the mass continues to grow causing complications such as hearing loss due to infection, erosion into surrounding structures like bone and nerve endings and potentially fatal facial paralysis if third cranial nerve involvement occurs. Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment as surgical removal may be necessary in some cases.